HORTICULTURE DIVISION

Potted Plants

Cut Flowers

Decorative-Arrangement

Registration

The following “Hints for Exhibiting Flowers” should be read and applied to ensure your entries are not disqualified.

  • All flowers are to be shown in non-expensive containers. The Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society and/or its directors cannot be responsible for valuable containers.
  • All exhibits should be attractively arranged.
  • All arrangements must be MOVEABLE AND IN ONE SOLID PIECE – no extra pieces to be fastened to the arrangement.
  • Flowers should be as uniform as possible.
  • The exhibit must contain the exact number of flowers specified for the class.
  • Cedar may be used as a filler or base in any of the arrangements
  • Do not leave seed head on exhibit.
  • Exhibits with insects shall be removed from the show.
  • Remove dead foliage.
  • African violets should contain only a single crown in a pot.
  • Ideal gladiolus spikes should show 1/3 open bloom, 1/3 bud and 1/3 green.
  • Be sure to measure the diameter of the blooms and enter the proper size by class.
  • In a floral arrangement, the large flowers and strong colours should be at the base.
  • A spray is a number of blossoms, and a stem is a single blossom (with exceptions, i.e. phlox).
  • Unopened buds on exhibits do not count as a bloom and must be removed except for the classes for Lavatera and Cosmos
  • “Ontario Judging Standards for Horticulture and Floral Design” is available for purchase from the Ontario Horticultural Association at www.gardenontario.org/abo/judging.php

Class: Potted Plants

Prize Money: $4, $3, $2

Special Prize: $20 donated by Caroll Carkner awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in Sections 45 to 60.

Special Prize: $10 Gift Certificate donated by Jade Garden awarded to the exhibitor with the second highest points in Sections 45 to 60.

  1. African violet, single, any colour, one crown only
  2. Cactus, any kind, no succulent
  3. Aloe Vera plant
  4. Ivy, any variety
  5. Succulent, any kind, no cacti
  6. Potted cilantro
  7. Potted fern, pot 6 inches or less
  8. Most Unusual Plant. Named.
  9. Begonia, any type
  10. Coleus, any kind, 1 plant.
  11. Geranium, any type, in bloom, 1 plant.
  12. Potted gerbera daisy plant, in bloom
  13. Potted plant in a decorated container. Western theme. Accessories accepted.
  14. House plant, other than those listed in sections 51 to 63, named.
  15. Outdoor hanging basket
  16. Deck/patio planter.

Class: Cut Flowers

Prize money: $4, $3, $2 

Special Prize: $25 donated by Steven and Rochelle Anderson in memory of Alice Anderson for most points in Sections 61 to 90

Special Prize: $10 Gift Certificate donated by Jade Garden awarded to the exhibitor with the second highest points in Sections 61 to90.

Descriptive Terms & Exhibitor Tips

  • Garden-grown flowers only should be exhibited.
  • Stem – a flower stalk with one or more flowers, buds, and foliage
  • Bloom – one flower with foliage on each stalk, with no buds showing colour.
  • Spike (spray) – a cluster of individual flowers up and down a stem.
  • Condition – free of disease, insect damage, insects, etc.
  • Colour – should be uniform.
  • Form – proper shape for the type of flower.
  • Substance – fresh, not wilted.
  • Uniform in size when more than one bloom or stem is required.
  • Showmanship/Display counts for part of placing.
  • Always leave some foliage, especially what is under water in the container. 
  • Every entry must have an entry tag well attached to a sturdy container, heavy enough to support the flowers in it.
  1. Any appropriate flower, floating in a container, 1 bloom.
  2. Asters, 3 blooms
  3. Calendulas, 3 stems
  4. Cleome, 3 stems
  5. Coneflower, (Echinacea) 3 stems, any colour
  6. Cosmos, 5 stems, no taller than 24”
  7. Dahlia, under 6”, 2 blooms
  8. Sedum, 1 stem
  9. Gladioli, any solid colour, 1 spike**
  10. Gladioli, bi-colour, or tricolour, 1 spike**
  11. Lavatera (annual mallow), 3 stems
  12. Lily, Tiger lily, 1 stem
  13. Passionflower, single bloom
  14. Marigolds, over 3”, with own foliage, 5 blooms
  15. Marigolds, 3” and under, with own foliage,
    5 blooms
  16. Black-eyed Susan, 3 stems
  17. Hosta, any variety, 3 leaves
  18. Pansies, with own foliage, 5 blooms
  19. Petunias, single, with own foliage, 5 stems
  20. Gaillardia, 3 stems
  21. Phlox, perennial, 3 stems
  22. Rose, 1 bloom
  23. Rose, 1 spray or spike
  24. Rudbeckia, 3 stems, any colour
  25. Salvia, with own foliage, 5 spikes,
  26. Snapdragon, 3 spikes
  27. Sunflower, 1 bloom, not to exceed 8”, stem not to exceed 12”
  28. Zinnias, 3” and over, 3 blooms
  29. Zinnias, under 3”, 5 blooms
  30. A collection of 3 varieties of flowers, 2 of each, provide names.

Class: Decorative Arrangement

Prize money: $6, $5, $4
Special Prize: $25 donated by Steven and Rochelle Anderson in memory of Anna Mae Barton for most points in Sections 91 to 96.
Special Prize: $10 Gift Certificate donated by Jade Garden awarded to the exhibitor with the second highest points in Sections 91 to 96.

  1. ‘These boots are made for walking’- an arrangement in a boot.
  2. ‘Country Rambling’- an arrangement using flowers and plant material with “country” accessories in a vase.
  3. ‘Mini’- a miniature floral arrangement not to exceed 5 inches on a country theme.
  4. Happy 180th! Centerpiece arrangement celebrating the 180th Anniversary of the Vankleek Hill Fair, accessories accepted.
  5. ‘No Flowers Allowed’- an arrangement of grasses, weeds, or other natural materials
    (no flowers) in an antique container.
  6. ‘A country kitchen’ – flower arrangement in a mason jar. Decorations acceptable.

Online Registration

Follow this link assistexpo.ca/vkhfair to register for an Assist Expo account to register your entries online!